Factors that influence the income of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) producers in Imbabura and Pichincha, Ecuador

Abstract

Objectives: Analyze the factors that influence the income of avocado producers in Ecuador, specifically in the provinces of Imbabura and Pichincha. Methodology: Surveys were carried out to obtain information from 102 production units (farms). The information from the surveys was analyzed using averages and the percentage was showed in bar graphs for each quantitative variable. A regression model was used to determine the relationship between the variables and their impact on producers' income. Results: The majority of farmers in Pichincha and Imbabura are small producers, they use avocado plants grafted on local rootstocks, there are a few physical or digital records on crop management, only a few producers have access to credit and the majority use their own money to finance their crops. The main problems in avocado production were associated with the presence of pests and the low sale price of the fruit. Most farmers use organic fertilizers and perform pruning (training and sanitary) to improve agronomic management; they also sell their production through intermediaries, obtaining low sales prices, being it the main marketing problem. Conclusions: The main factors that positively influenced the farmer's income were: land area, implementation of good agricultural practices, training for crop management, sales to the industry, prices and fruit selection; while the factors that had a negative influence were: cultivation in infertile soils, lack of credit and pest problems